Administrators appointed as Oldham Evening Chronicle publisher goes under

Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd, the publishing company behind the Oldham Evening Chronicle, has gone into administration.

Paul Flint and Jonathan Marston of professional services firm KPMG have today (August 31) been appointed joint administrators for the publisher, whose weekday daily paper employs 49 people.

The Oldham Evening Chronicle was founded in 1854 and has four companion titles, each published monthly and available free; the Oldham Extra, Saddleworth Extra, Tameside Extra and the Dale Times.

Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd also publishes three quarterly magazines; Oldham Business Edge, The Knowledge and Primary Knowledge.

According to the administrators, production of the Oldham Evening Chronicle and its companion titles has ceased, with the majority of the staff have made redundant.

KPMG partner Paul Flint said in a statement: “The company was faced with an increasing deficit in its defined benefits pension scheme in addition to the challenging trading conditions arising from the changing nature of the local media landscape.

“Unfortunately despite a rigorous sales process, a buyer for this long standing paper has not been found and it’s not commercially viable to continue operating.”

He continued: “We will work to ensure all employees receive the maximum levels of practical and financial support through the redundancy process. We are also seeking buyers for the assets of the business, including the newspaper title to try and ensure its heritage will be preserved and continued.”

In addition to its publishing business, Hirst, Kidd and Rennie Ltd operated Reader Holidays, a promotions brand.

Speaking further, Mr Flint said: “All customer deposits paid for Reader Holidays will be refunded in due course.”